Gas bottle rack



J. M. SANDERS GAS BOTTLE RACK Nov. 27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 9, 1961 Joe M. Sanders 1N VENTOR.

Nov. 27, 1962 J. M. SANDERS 3,065,857

GAS BOTTLE RACK Filed Feb. 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QX Fig. 2

Joe M Sanders q m: INVENTOR.

BY 401%", 5M

United States Patent i 3,065,857 GAS BOTTLE RACK Joe M. Sanders, P.O. Box 1123, Texarkana, Tex. Filed Feb. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 88,116 Claims. (Cl. 211--71) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in gas bottle racks or holders and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is adapted to accommodate a plurality of such bottles or tanks.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide a rack or holder of the aforementioned character which will positively prevent unauthorized removal of the bottles or access to the usual caps and valves thereof.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a rack or holder of the aforementioned character wherein a selected bottle may be easily removed or access gained to the valve assembly thereof by an authorized person.

A further object of this invention is to provide a gas bottle rack or holder which is adapted to be transported in an upright, suspended position, thus preventing tipping over and materially promoting safety.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a gas bottle rack of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which willbecome subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a gas bottle rack or holder constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view in horizontal section through the device, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a view in vertical section through the upper portion of the device, taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a circular base 4 of suitable metal. Of course, the base 4 may also be of any desired dimensions. The base 4 is adapted to receive thereon a plurality of conventional gas bottles, tanks or cylinders 5. Fixed centrally on the base 4, as by welding, is a tubular metallic post 6 which terminates in an externally threaded upper end portion 7. Triangular braces in the form of gussets 8 are provided for the post 6, said braces being welded to the lower portion of said post and to the base 4.

Vertically spaced metallic spiders 9 are fixed on the post 6 for spacing the bottles 5 and retaining the same in position. The spiders or spacers 9 comprise rnetallic plates 11) from which arms 11 radiate, said arms being engageable between the bottles 5 and being shaped to define arcuate recesses or pockets 12 for the reception of said bottles. For each of the pockets or recesses 12, an upstanding stop flange 13 for the bottles is provided on the base 4. The flanges 13, which are arcuate to conform to the curvature of the bottles 5, are fixed tangential- 1y on the base 4 and so positioned as to permit 'said bottles to be easily engaged in or disengaged from the recesses 12 of the spacers 9.

Fixed on the post 6 above the upper spacer 9 is a flange 3,065,857. Patented Nov. 27, 1962.

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or collar 14. The flange 14 supports a generally inverted cup-shaped turret-type cover or hood 15 which is journalled on the upper portion of the post 6. The rotary cover 15 includes a depending cylindrical hub 16 through which the upper portion of the post 6 passes. Upper and lower bearings 17 and 18, respectively, are provided for the hub 16, said lower bearing including a flange 19 which rests on the collar 14. Fittings 20 are provided on the hub 16 for lubricating the bearings 17 and 18. Gussets 21 brace the cover 15 on the hub 16, said gussets being welded to said hub and to said cover. A retaining nut 22, in the embodiment shown, is threaded on the upper end portion 7 of the post 6 for rotatably securing said cover thereon. Reference numeral 23 designates an optional heavy-duty washer or fiat metallic ring on the post 6 between the nut 22 and the top 24 of the cover 15.

As shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawing, the rotary cover 15 is adapted to receive the capped and valved upper portions of the bottles 5 for preventing unauthorized removal of said bottles or tampering therewith. Toward this end, the peripheral portion of the cover 15 has formed therein a substantially segmental recess providing an access opening 25. The opening 25, it will be observed, extends from the cylindrical wall or flange 26 of the cover 15 into the top 24 thereof, as indicated at 27. An arcuate door or closure 28 is provided for the access opening 25, said closure being hingedly secured on the flange or cylinder 26 ofthe cover 15 as indicated at 29. The closure 28 includes a segmental top portion or flange 30 which is engageable in the portion 27 of the opening 25. Lugs or arms 31 and 32 are fixed, respectively, on the portion 26 of the cover 15 and on the free end portion, of the closure 28. With the closure 28 in closed position, the outer end portions of the arms 31 and 32 are lapped and said arms are provided with openings for apertures for receiving a suitable padlock 33. Thus, the closure 28 is locked in closed position.

, Fixed on diametrically opposite sides of the cylindrical portion 26 of the cover 15 is a pair of angle bars providing operating handles 34. Fixed on the top 24 of the rotary cover or hood 15, on diametrically opposite sides of the member 23, is a pair of generally inverted U-shaped loops or the like 35 for receiving the tines or prongs of a lift fork when the device is to be transported. Fixed on the upper end of the post 6 is an inverted U-shaped loop 36 for receiving a hook whereby the device may also be lifted or hoisted when it is to be moved from place to place.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the closure 28 is opened for permitting the bottles 5 to be placed in the rack, said bottles being engaged in the recesses or pockets 12 of the spacers 9 and resting on the base 4 behind the retaining flanges or stops 13. As the filling or loading of the rack progresses the cover 15 is turned to bring the opening 25 successively into registry or alignment with the recesses or pockets 12. When the rack has been filled the closure 25 is swung to closed position and locked. Thus, the upper portions of the bottles 5 are enclosed and protected in the cover 15 and unauthorized removal of said bottles is positively prevented. Also prevented by the cover 15 is tampering with the caps or valve assemblies on the upper portions of the bottles 5. Of course, to remove a bottle when desired the foregoing procedure is substantially reversed, the closure 28 being unlocked and swung to open position, after which the cover 15 is turned to bring the opening 25 to a position adjacent the upper portion of the desired bottle. However, the shape of the opening 25, with the segmental extension 27 thereof, permits access to be readily had to the cap and valve assembly of the selected bottle without removing said bottle from the rack. This constitutes an important and desirable feature of the present invention. By-engaging the tines or prongs of a lift fork in the loops 35, theloaded rack or holder may be conveniently raised and safely transported in a suspended position. Of course, when thus transported tipping over of the rack or the bottles therein is prevented. The device may also be transported in a suspended position by engaging the hook'of a hoist in the loop 36.

The construction and arrangement of the cover is such as to prevent the bottles'5 from being lifted sufficiently to clear the flanges 13 when the closure or door 23 is in closed position. By tightening the nut 22 the cover 15 may, if desired, be frictionally secured against rotation.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A gas bottle rack comprising, in combination, a base for receiving upstanding bottles thereon, a post mounted on said base, and a cover rotatably mounted on said post for enclosing and retaining the upper portions of the bottles, said cover having an opening therein providing selective access to said upper portions of said bottles, upstanding loops on the cover for receiving a fork of a mobile lift for transporting the rack in a suspended position, and means for frictionally locking the post against rotation on the cover while suspended from the fork.

2. A gas bottle rack in accordance withclaim 1, said cover including a closure for the opening.

3. A gas bottle rack comprising a base for receiving'a plurality of upstanding bottles thereon, -a post mounted on said base, a generally inverted cup-shaped 'cover, including a cylinder and a top rotatably/mounted on said post for receiving, enclosing and retaining the upper portions of the bottles, said cover having an opening therein extending circumferentially in the cylinder for selective access to the bottles and including a segmental extension in the top providing further access to said bottles, a closure for the opening hingedly mounted on the cylinder and including a segmental top flange engageable in the extension, and means for retaining the bottles on the base around the post, said means including a plate fixed on the post and comprising radial spacing arms engageable between the bottles and defining arcuate recesses for receiving said bottles.

4. A gas bottle rack comprising a base for receiving a plurality of upstanding bottles thereon, a post mounted on said base, a generally inverted cup-shaped cover, including a cylinder and a top rotatably mounted on said post for receiving, enclosing and retaining the upper portions of the bottles, said cover having an opening therein extending cireumferentially in the cylinder for selective access to the bottles and including a segmental extension in the top providing further access to said bottles, a closure for the opening hingedly mounted on the cylinder and including a segmental top flange engageable in the extension, and means for retaining the bottles on the base around the post, said means including a plate fixed on the post and comprising radial spacing arms engageable between the bottles and defining arcuate recesses for receiving said bottles, said means further including upstanding members on the base for retaining the bottles in said recesses. v

5. The combination of claim 1, together with a collar on the upper portion of the post, said cover comprising a hub journaled on the post and resting on the collar, said means including a nut threaded on the post above the cover and cooperable with the collar for clamping the hub therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,988,295 Berry Jan. 15, 1935 2,129,150 Pekrol Sept. 6, 1938 2,327,235 Anderson Aug. 17, 9 3 2,634,847 Johnson Apr. 14, 953 2,639,208 Obenchain May 19, 1953 

